What is the Door Supervisor Licence?
The Door Supervisor Licence allows holders to work in the private security industry in a variety of roles.
The licence is issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and is valid for 3 years. With the SIA Door Supervisor Licence individuals can work in pubs, bars, shops, malls, office buildings and more. Primary responsibilities include keeping the public safe from harm and protecting private property.
Do I need an SIA Door Supervisor Licence?
If you are conducting the licensable activities of a Door Supervisor, such as protecting private property or members of the public, then by law you require an SIA Licence. In certain circumstances, however, your employer may have been given an exemption under Section 4(4) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an SIA Door Supervisor Licence, you must be 18 years of age, have the right to work in the UK and have passed the Door Supervisor Course. You will also have to pass identity and criminal background checks conducted by the SIA.
How to apply for the SIA Door Supervisor Licence
Getting your SIA Door Supervisor Licence may seem complicated, but it’s actually quite easy! All you need to do is follow the simple steps:
✅ Pass the Door Supervisor Course
The Door Supervisor Course takes 4 days to complete. The training course is assessed by 3 multiple choice exams and a practical assessment.
✅Complete the licence application on the SIA website
The cost of starting a licence application is £190. The SIA will get back to you within 25 working days. In rare cases, this can take up to 6 weeks.
✅ Complete identity checks
You will need to verify your identity to satisfy parts of your SIA application, namely your photo ID. The easiest way to do this is at the Post Office. You can also have someone with a British passport, who is not related to you, to sign the back of your photo ID.
✅ Submit application to the SIA
The SIA will verify your identity and run a background check on your criminal record. If you have lived abroad for 6 months or more, you may be required to provide some supporting evidence.
✅ Receive your 3 year licence in the post
You are finally licensed! Your SIA Door Supervisor Licence is valid for 3 years.
For further information about how the application process works, follow our detailed guide SIA Licence Application Process
SIA Door Supervisor Training
To apply for the Door Supervisor Licence, the SIA requires you to complete formal training and pass the assessment.
The Door Supervisor training course runs over 4 days and contains the following 4 units:
Unit 1: Working in the Private Security Industry
Unit 2: Working as a Door Supervisor
Unit 3: Conflict Management
Unit 4: Physical Intervention
Door Supervisor Examination
The course is assesed by 3 multiple choice exams and a practical exam. These will be held on the last day and will test your knowledge of the content taught during the course.
Cost of the Door Supervisor Licence
The SIA Door Supervisor Licence costs £190 and the licence is valid for three years. The fee covers the cost of processing your application and is non-refundable. For further information, please refer to the Official SIA Website.
SIA Licence Renewal
Renewing your SIA Door Supervisor Licence is normally quite straightforward, but in some cases requires extra refresher training. This all depends on when you received your qualification.
You do not require extra training in the following cases:
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Your qualification was awarded after September 2010.
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Your qualification certificate says "[Awarding body name] Level 2 Award in Door Supervision (QCF)".
However, extra training is required in either of the following cases:
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Your qualification was awarded before June 2010.
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Your qualification was awarded between June and September 2010, and your training course did not include a module for Physical Intervention Skills.
If you require the extra refresher training, you will need to pass the 'Up-Skilling for Door Supervisors' award before you can renew your licence. This course is available at our training providers who offer the licence-linked door supervision qualification.
Finally, you can start renewing your current SIA Door Supervisor Licence 4 months before it is due to expire. The new licence will commence only after your current licence has expired. The application cost is a non-refundable £190.
Licensing Integration
For some licences, the SIA permits individuals who meet one licensing criterion to carry out related licensable activities. For example, if you have a Close Protection Licence, the SIA allows you to use your licence to work as a Door Supervisor.
In the same way, individuals who have a Door Supervisor Licence can work as Security Guards, CCTV Operators, and key holders.
Learn more about SIA licensing integration.
